Sumter STEAM Charter Updates (4/26)

Our formal notification of state approval causes our excitement to grow leaps and bounds! Our planning committee has worked hard and believes we have done the work exceptionally well to meet the state’s rigorous bar for approval.

We are now approved to open in Fall of 2021 to serve K-1 scholars. Completing the pre-enrollment interest form will ensure you are contacted later this Fall once we begin the Family Preview Sessions when official enrollment applications will begin to be accepted. Visit our website to complete an interest form today.

Check out the statement from SSC’s Planning Committee regarding approval from SCPCSD in the 2019-20 charter application cycle. We are excited about serving the families and Sumter community as we roll up our sleeves to get to work!

Our Approach to Social-Emotional Learning

Social-emotional learning (SEL) is a core design principle of our proposed educational model. In fact, it is so important to us that scholars will start and end each day at SSC with SEL instruction through our CHAMPS period. In this daily time, scholars will "Challenge their Hearts and Minds to Promote Success." Scholars will actively engage in lessons to acquire and further develop important SEL competencies such as self-awareness and self-regulation.

Everyday Teaching & Learning at Sumter STEAM Charter

At Sumter STEAM Charter, we believe that students must be at the center of the teaching and learning process. You can expect to see the following five things across all classrooms at Sumter STEAM Charter:

1. Active Learning
2. Teacher as the Facilitator
3. Project-Based Learning
4. STEAM Discipline Integration
5. Inquiry-Based Learning Environment

At SSC, one of our core pillars is top quality teaching. In fact, all of primary academy classrooms will be staffed with two teachers - a lead teacher and a teaching fellow. We realize that teachers bring unique skills and needs to the job and a natural desire to continually improve & Achieve the best results for their scholars. That's why SSC will have job-embedded professional learning through two daily prep periods, weekly early release, one PD release day a month, and structured coaching cycles for all teachers.

One of the hallmarks of our proposed educational model is a focus on personalized learning. It seeks to accelerate student learning by tailoring the instructional environment—what, when, how, and where scholars learn—to address the individual needs, skills, and interests of each scholar. Students can take ownership of their learning while also developing deep, personal connections with each other, their teachers, and other adults. We’ll do this by keeping our scholars at the center through our unique academy structure, personalized learning plans for each scholar, goal & data trackers, scholar-led conferences, data nights, digital portfolios, daily reflection journals, PATHWAYS programming, meaningful tech integration, and much more!

Project-based learning (PBL) will be facilitated throughout all classrooms at Sumter STEAM Charter. We believe that when kids are interacting and doing, they are not only learning more but it is critical preparation for life after the Senior Academy at SSC in the real world. It is a teaching and learning method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate and respond to an authentic, real-world, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge. This is a unique and highly effective approach found to be more beneficial to students than sitting at a desk listening to a lecture on a single topic or academic area. This approach helps students understand the relevance of what they are learning and why it is important in their daily lives and for the future.

A hallmark of our proposed educational model is in our PATHWAYS programming. Scholars will be exposed to the 3 greatest workforce needs in Sumter through enrichment programming as early as kindergarten leading to the selection of a specific “pathway to distinction” in the Senior Academy that includes internships/apprenticeships and dual enrollment credit. PATHWAYS include health sciences, computer technology, industrial & engineering technology, and early college. The "magic" behind our model is that it provides the level of exposure for our scholars to make a meaningful, well-informed decision about life beyond SSC. Our model will support the next welders and engineers in Sumter but will equally support scholars wanting to become teachers and lawyers.

At SSC, quality teaching & learning experiences cannot occur without a well-managed environment. Our approach is proactive and not reactive and grounded in the principles of Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS). The culture of SSC will be based upon our REACH values (Respect, Enthusiasm, Achievement, Citizenship, & Hard Work) that will energize, motivate, and empower faculty, staff, and scholars regarding their contributions to the total school community. We are excited about our "House System" where scholars work on STEM passion projects to further build relationships with one another. Other features of our PBIS school-wide plan include Scholar Dollars, restorative justice circles, community service, and a student-facilitated Peer Court.

SSC draws many of its core design elements and educational plans from other high-performing charter schools including Drew Charter (Atlanta), High Tech High (San Diego), Legacy Charter (Greenville), and Meeting Street Academy Charleston/Greenville).

· PreK - Creative Curriculum

· Math (K-8) - Eureka

· ELA/Writing (K-8) - Wit & Wisdom

· Science (K-8) - FOSS

· Social Studies (K-8) - Core Knowledge

· STEM (K-12) - Project Lead the Way

· Social-Emotional Learning - Responsive Classroom & Building Belonging

· PATHWAYS (9-12) - High School Diploma-Required Coursework, Dual Enrollment, and Work-Based Learning Experiences

One of our five core pillars of the Sumter STEAM Charter model is meaningful family engagement. At SSC, we truly believe that parents are our partners. The school values families as partners in the academic growth and human development of scholars. Families can expect annual home visits, daily updates on scholar progress, weekly phone communication and availability with a scholar’s teacher, monthly parent events at the schools...open doors to the school, and access to workshops and seminars on childhood human development. Each scholar's parents will have one vote for director elections and the option of participating in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA), School Improvement Council (SIC), or Parent Action Teams (PATs).